It is Appreciation Week for Teachers/School Staff! Always a fun and busy week – full of treats and surprises that show how much we appreciate all that these folks do. Let me tell you – a week isn’t enough (kind of insulting like one day a year to appreciate Mom/Dad… but I digress).
Look – your child’s teacher is not only dealing with whatever you deal with daily (times 20-30 more kids)…. but there is SO MUCH drama and emotions that are so very different at school than they are at home. I highly suggest that you hang out at the school a few times a year (note that any time after a break or holiday is 10X worse… and don’t get me started on rainy day schedules). Kids at school have a pack-mentality, and it is a volatile environment! You need to be in touch with teachers on a regular basis – don’t wait until you are dealing with a major issue. Being in contact with them also might give them the chance to tell you all the good things going on too… and who doesn’t love that!?!
And if you hear that there is a “problem”…. LISTEN to what they are telling you. Don’t start out defending your “poor” child. Actually listen to what they are saying. Process it. Understand where they are coming from, and work together to resolve it. If a teacher is reaching out to you – they are TELLING you that they need your support as a parent – take that gift and BE AN ACTUAL FREAKING PARENT. Chances are that your child is not a sweet and innocent victim, at least not 100%. Even if they feel justified in their action – use it as a teachable moment and help them understand that while their intentions were different, the perception of their behavior does matter. Now, I know of adults that need this lesson too, but I am going to leave that alone for now.
My kids have had such AMAZING teachers over the years. I’m not just saying that. Many of their teachers I consider my personal friends. I trust them with the well being of my children. They deserve my respect. They deserve your respect. Respect their time. Respect the rules of their classroom. Respect the depth of what they are trying to achieve every day, every year…. They are expected to reach certain levels of academic achievement, while dealing with all these emerging personalities!!! I don’t know about y’all, but I can barely deal with 2 the same age!
By showing your teachers you are human, by showing them that you listen, by working together…. you will build a relationship that benefits your child. You guys… your teacher should be like family. They say it takes a village, and I agree – it makes life SOOOO much easier.
My kids are in the 5th grade. Hormones – UGH. One of my kids (who fancies himself something as a funny-guy), has had a few “instances” this year. But because our teachers know I will listen to what they are saying, and address it with my kid – they reached out to me to “fix” what was going on before it became a real problem. Now, we aren’t talking major crimes…. we are talking inappropriate behavior in PE (twerking instead of squats, telling a classmate that his push-up isn’t good, unless his penis hits the floor), or the day he was enjoying (read: goofing off) a dance class with his buddies, and the visiting instructor found him disruptive, or when his teacher found him just a bit too talkative…. Each time the teachers reached out to me and told me what the concern was. I cannot tell you how much I value the opportunity to talk to my child about choices and consequences of his actions – that is the bread & butter of raising tiny humans. After talking with the kid – he explained his side of the story, I heard him, I explained to him that while he did not intend to be disruptive or rude – he needed to understand that his actions affect others. I had him write an apology for his behavior (or the perceived outcome of his behavior) and have him explain why he was sorry – not just go through the motions. Whether I agree that his actions were wrong, right or indifferent – it doesn’t matter. His actions caused an issue that was worth his teachers reaching out. It is my job to address it the right way. I did not have him take blame for anything he didn’t do. I did not run to the administrative staff and complain that my goofy kid is being picked on. I handled it. #LikeABoss
And you know what I love even more…. when these teachers take the time to send a little text or an email to says – your kid is doing AWESOME, or hey – you are doing a good job as a parent! Things like that make me so proud and grateful that someone see’s how hard we are working at something so important – so why wouldn’t I want to show them the same appreciation like ALL THE TIME!
Now, let’s talk the administrative and support staff at school…. these are the folks who have their pulse on the big picture. They see all. They hear all. Usually, the only people causing them issues are parents. They deal with those who feel their child is being picked on – when usually they are part of the problem. They deal with those who show ZERO responsibility – oh yeah, school pick up was at 11:55 today, and my kid is still there will you 2 hours later. People yell at them. People demand from them. People dismiss them. You guys – these are my people, and I love them! Years of volunteer work, I cannot tell you the value of an amazing school staff! I can tell you that they have a lot more patience than I do – I don’t know how they stay so calm and nice to all “those” parents.
My point here today is this – the folks at school are an important part of your child’s village. An important part of your family. This week is a great week to celebrate all their awesomeness – but keep in mind that they deserve a little love and respect EVERYDAY. Try to make it a habit to occasionally pop by (and a Starbucks card is always nice too), and tell them that they are doing a great job. Or talk to them if you have a concern. They are hard working peeps who do their best each and every day they walk into their classroom. Be involved – and be an actual, grown-up parent to your little! They need that more than they need another friend.
Treat your tribe with the same respect that you deserve & it comes back tenfold.
Thank you to ALL the teachers and every staff person at Ladd Lane Elementary School! You are hands-down the ABSOLUTE best school around! Thank you for whatever part you have played in raising my (not-so) tiny humans so far!
#CrazyAsAMother #FrickAndFrack #LaddLaneRocks #ParentingIsHard #ItTakesAVillage #RaiseThemRad #BeTheCorn #IFreakinLoveYouGuys
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